Duck Breed Focus - Indian Runner

sumi

Rest in Peace 1980-2020
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Jun 28, 2011
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Indian Runner ducks originated in the East Indies on the islands of Java, Malaya, Bali and Lombok. It is recorded that the first Runners were imported to the UK during the 1830s - but were then known as the "Penguin Duck" due to their incredible upright stance often compared to a hock bottle. Indian Runners have long been used in farming as a method of natural pest control. The Indian Runner is reported to have first appeared in the UK in 1835 and they were originally called Penguin Ducks. The first fawn and white runners were standardised in 1901 with other colours following (see colour varieties below).

Indian Runners are very active ducks that enjoy foraging for slugs, snails and insects. One of their original uses in Asia was to clear the paddy fields of pests. They would be taken there in the mornings and rounded up again at night so that they could be kept safe from predators. In some parts of the world, they are still used in this way, for example some organic vineyards in South Africa have started using Indian Runner Ducks to clear the vines of pests, in order to eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Details:

Purpose:: Utility – Eggs and good for organic pest control, particularly in vineyards.
Egg Laying: Up to 200 eggs per year.
Origin: East Indies.
Weight: Drake: 1.6 – 2.3 Kg, Duck: 1.4 – 2 Kg.
Classification: Runner.
Colours: Apricot Trout (Saxony), Black, Blue, Chocolate, Fawn, Fawn & White, Mallard, Silver, Trout, White.

A note on the colour varieties:

There are a number of different colour varieties of Indian Runner duck available but the Breed Standards vary by region. In the United States there have been 8 colour varieties admitted to the APA's Standard of Perfection, whilst in the UK the British Waterfowl Standards has 14.

Pic by @wildpeas


Pic by @Frank Phinster


Pic by @galgo98


Pic by @happy-chicken

BYC Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/indian-runner

Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/714223/show-off-your-indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/432437/indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/981398/indian-runner-duck-week-by-week/0_30

Do you own Indian Runners? Are you an Indian Runner breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
 
· What made you decide to get this breed?

Their size, reputation for eating slugs, their upright appearance, egg-laying reputation


· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?


I got them for their slug-eating and egg-laying reputations. They have lived up to all that. They ended up being quite therapeutic - it is difficult to maintain any negative emotions when I am with them. And their manure is the best garden fertilizer ever!

· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?


They are so darn chipper! Good layers, and very friendly. A few are downright cuddly.


· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!



























 
@Amiga I loved seeing your pictures! It was nice how you showed them in various stages of maturity. Thanks for sharing them
smile.png
 
Indian Runner ducks originated in the East Indies on the islands of Java, Malaya, Bali and Lombok. It is recorded that the first Runners were imported to the UK during the 1830s - but were then known as the "Penguin Duck" due to their incredible upright stance often compared to a hock bottle. Indian Runners have long been used in farming as a method of natural pest control. The Indian Runner is reported to have first appeared in the UK in 1835 and they were originally called Penguin Ducks. The first fawn and white runners were standardised in 1901 with other colours following (see colour varieties below).

Indian Runners are very active ducks that enjoy foraging for slugs, snails and insects. One of their original uses in Asia was to clear the paddy fields of pests. They would be taken there in the mornings and rounded up again at night so that they could be kept safe from predators. In some parts of the world, they are still used in this way, for example some organic vineyards in South Africa have started using Indian Runner Ducks to clear the vines of pests, in order to eliminate the need for chemical pesticides.
Details:

Purpose:: Utility – Eggs and good for organic pest control, particularly in vineyards.
Egg Laying: Up to 200 eggs per year.
Origin: East Indies.
Weight: Drake: 1.6 – 2.3 Kg, Duck: 1.4 – 2 Kg.
Classification: Runner.
Colours: Apricot Trout (Saxony), Black, Blue, Chocolate, Fawn, Fawn & White, Mallard, Silver, Trout, White.

A note on the colour varieties:

There are a number of different colour varieties of Indian Runner duck available but the Breed Standards vary by region. In the United States there have been 8 colour varieties admitted to the APA's Standard of Perfection, whilst in the UK the British Waterfowl Standards has 14.

Pic by @wildpeas


Pic by @Frank Phinster


Pic by @galgo98


Pic by @happy-chicken

BYC Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/indian-runner

Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/714223/show-off-your-indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/432437/indian-runners/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/981398/indian-runner-duck-week-by-week/0_30

Do you own Indian Runners? Are you an Indian Runner breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

I raise Fawn & White Indian Runner ducks. I own them for fun, eggs, and breeding. I like how they have the up right stance, the run, and the drake is quiet.
1000
Kida (the hen) hatched out a clutch of 6 ducklings last year. 3 hens and 3 drakes.





1000
Kenia is my drake. Kenia and Kida come when they are called like dogs. I hatched out Kenia and Kida March 1, 2012. They are 3 years old and still follow me and come when they are called. I love it.











 
@Birdrain92 They are beautiful and those ducklings are just
love.gif
Thanks for sharing!
 
@Amiga Beautiful, just beautiful… Your pics and stories about your Runners made me consider getting some myself. Hopefully I will be in a position to do that soon.
 

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